Standish to pay sewer and water for depot in lieu of paying Heritage Route membership

STANDISH — To remain a part of the Arenac County Heritage Route Authority, the Standish City Council approved a proposal, at its annual meeting, to pay water and sewer costs for the Standish Historical Depot rather than paying a yearly membership fee. City Manager Michael Moran said the city will cover water and sewer cost for the depot for 2011 as a way of saving money.

“The city is doing everything it can to save money,” he said. “Rather than paying to be a member, we will cover the cost of water and sewer.”

Moran said that the depot and the city will work together to keep the costs even. The Standish Historical Depot is located on the corner of US-23 and M-61 in Standish.

“If the bill runs over what we would normally pay, then the depot will cover the rest of the cost,” he said. “Essentially, this will end up as a wash for both sides.”

Moran said that the city usually pays 50 cents a person for all residents of Standish to remain part of the Arenac Heritage Route Authority. He added that last year the city paid $1,042 total.

Mayor Mark Winslow said he believes that being a part of the Arenac County Heritage Route Authority is a benefit for Standish.

“I looked at this and decided we needed to continue to be a part of this,” he said.

Arenac Heritage Route Authority President Curt Hillman said that 13 municipalities in Arenac County take part in the Arenac County Heritage Route Authority.

“The city (of Standish) just found a creative way to pay us,” he said. “We know that the city is on a tight budget.”

Hillman said that the money the municipalities submit to the depot help pay for some of the costs of running the depot.

Hillman said that he and Moran met twice to discuss payment.

“This was the best option,” he said. “Usually everyone pays in December, but this worked out fine.”

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